A Royal Obligation
Chapter 81: A Near Fall, A Near Kiss

Chapter 81: A Near Fall, A Near Kiss

The night had turned still, save for the soft lapping of water against the stones by the lake. After their heart-to-heart, the tension between Eirik and Kaelix seemed lighter, yet more complicated.

Kaelix’s unexpected apology and promise to try, had left Eirik confused, but hopeful. And as they stood there together, the stars reflecting off the water, something new began to stir between them, something neither could hardly deny.

Eirik stood, stretching his arms and exhaling deeply. He turned to Kaelix, a small, tired smile playing on his lips. "We should head back," he said softly.

Kaelix nodded, his eyes still searching Eirik’s face. "Yes, it’s late."

Without thinking, Eirik took a step toward Kaelix but misjudged the slippery stones by the lake’s edge. His foot slid on the slick surface, and in an instant, his balance was lost. A gasp escaped his lips as his body tilted toward the water, arms flailing.

Before Eirik could hit the icy lake, Kaelix moved faster than he ever thought possible. His strong hand shot out, catching Eirik by the arm and yanking him back toward solid ground. The force of the pull sent Eirik crashing into Kaelix’s chest, and they both staggered but managed to stay upright.

For a moment, neither spoke. Eirik’s heart pounded in his chest, not just from the near-accident, but from the sudden closeness. His body pressed against Kaelix’s, his face inches from the prince’s collarbone. He could feel Kaelix’s warm breath on his temple, the rise and fall of his chest against his own.

"Careful," Kaelix whispered, his voice low and strained.

Eirik pulled back slightly, but Kaelix’s hands stayed firm on his arms, steadying him. Eirik looked up, his heart still racing, only to find Kaelix’s eyes fixed on him. There was something intense in Kaelix’s gaze, something Eirik had never seen before, worry, relief, and... something else.

Kaelix, too, was shaken. The thought of Eirik slipping out of his grasp and falling into the cold water had sent a surge of adrenaline through him, a surge he didn’t expect. It wasn’t just about keeping him safe out of duty. It was something more personal.

"You almost..." Kaelix began, but his words trailed off as his eyes flickered down to Eirik’s lips, just for a second, before he quickly looked away, trying to regain control over the flood of emotions.

Eirik felt a strange, sudden warmth bloom in his chest at Kaelix’s concerned expression. His pulse quickened, but this time it wasn’t from fear or relief, it was something else entirely. For the first time, he felt Kaelix truly cared, not as a prince, but as someone... more. The realization left him breathless.

"I... thank you," Eirik managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kaelix let out a short, tense laugh, shaking his head as if trying to clear his thoughts. "You really know how to get into trouble, don’t you?" he teased, though his voice was soft, almost tender.

Eirik smiled at the remark, though his mind was still reeling from the closeness of Kaelix’s body. He tried to step back, but his legs felt like jelly beneath him. Kaelix’s hands were still on his arms, and neither seemed to want to break the contact.

The tension between them shifted. The adrenaline from the near-accident was still there, but now something new simmered beneath it, an awareness of just how close they were standing. Kaelix’s face was only inches from his own, and Eirik couldn’t stop his gaze from lingering on the sharp line of Kaelix’s jaw, the way his lips parted slightly as he breathed.

The moment stretched on, their breaths mingling in the cool night air. Eirik’s heart pounded in his ears, his mind a jumbled mess of conflicting thoughts. Was he really about to let Kaelix kiss him? Did he even want that?

Kaelix’s hand moved, almost imperceptibly, from Eirik’s arm to his waist, his fingers hovering as if he were unsure whether to pull Eirik closer. His other hand slid up to Eirik’s shoulder, and Eirik’s breath hitched as he felt the heat of Kaelix’s palm through the fabric of his clothes.

Their faces were close, too close, and for a moment, Eirik thought Kaelix was going to close the distance between them. The thought sent a jolt of electricity through his body. His mind screamed at him to move, to pull away, but his body betrayed him. He couldn’t. He didn’t want to.

Just as their lips were about to meet, a loud, awkward cough cut through the air.

Both princes jumped back as if they had been burned, and Eirik’s face flushed a deep red. Kaelix immediately turned his head, his jaw clenched, as Drystan appeared from the shadows, his face a mix of guilt and duty.

"I... apologize for interrupting, Your Highness," Drystan said, bowing slightly, though his eyes flickered with amusement. "The king requests your presence, Prince Kaelix."

Kaelix cursed under his breath, running a hand through his hair. He shot Drystan a look that could kill, clearly frustrated by the interruption, but he knew he couldn’t disobey the king. Still, the timing couldn’t have been worse.

"Of course," Kaelix muttered, his voice tight. He turned back to Eirik, who was still standing there, wide-eyed and flustered. "I’ll see you later. In our chambers."

Eirik nodded, his throat too dry to speak. He watched as Kaelix turned and strode off, his steps quick and tense, like he was running from something, or someone.

Drystan, ever the dutiful guard, bowed slightly to Eirik before following Kaelix. But not before throwing the prince a knowing glance, one that made Eirik’s cheeks burn even hotter. Drystan’s amusement was palpable, though he tried to hide it behind his professional demeanor.

As they disappeared into the darkness, Eirik stood there by the lake, feeling utterly confused. His heart still pounded, and his mind raced. Was he really about to let Kaelix kiss him just now? The thought both thrilled and terrified him. And what about Sadiki? How could he feel this way about Kaelix when his heart belongs to Sadiki?

Eirik wrapped his arms around himself, feeling the cool night air for the first time. He stared at the water, its surface now calm and still, as if nothing had happened. But something had happened. Something that might changed everything between him and Kaelix.

And it scared him.